Clothesline reel



P 13, 1949- B. E. JOHNSON 2,481,753

CLOTHESLINE REEL Filed March 22, 1947 I N V EN TOR. Serf/12m 5 dofmsm Patented Sept. 13, 1949 poraxtion of Iowa j "lh grl resentinventienrelait st'o' reels for clothes An object of the invention is the provision-of su h a re l 51W 'iirhivk l ke 1191 1011 line can be reeled ,up speedily.

.Aii'otherobject of the invention is theprovifsifonflof ajcl'ot'hes rmgsnwrnea is adaptable to *s'imple and speedy -manufacture, resulting in an economical article.

A further object of the invention is the provi-. sion of such a reel which will occupy very little space when stored.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a simple reel which will hold a great length of clothes line.

The device is made entirely from wire stock, and needs no specially built parts for its construction.

With these and other objects in View, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my device whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side view of the device;

Figure 2 is an edge View of the device; and

Figure 3 is a line drawing of a modified form of device.

The preferred form of reel, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a central elongated shank l2 having its ends [4 bent out laterally from the main portion of the shank l2. The end portions l4 form handle members for operating the device.

The junctures between the handle members [4 and the shank l2 are in the form of loops it having their closed ends directed longitudinally outwardly of the shank [2. The loops 1% possess considerable lateral extent.

The material of which the shank I2 and handle members H are made is preferably ordinary wire stock. Such wire is easily formable in wire working machines, and possesses sufficient rigidity to retain its shape under ordinary conditions of use.

Secured to each end of the shank I2 is a pair of arms 18 which are also formed of wire stock. Each pair of arms l8 are formed from an integral piece of wire separate from the shank I2 and bent into the shape of a V, with the junctures 20 of the arms rounded similarly to the rounded portions of the closed ends of the loops [6. The extremities 22 of the arms l8 are bent 2,4s 1n53' r V ljohnson, Newton, loway assignor it inppwer Mfg. CcmpanyfNewton;

' plicatiodMarhZZ, 1941,, Seria l teams. (01. wa ee).

toward Each other extent fof tl'ie"-jufiotur Etc parallel relation-and extend lo iitue rrau oftli I ""20 -and ;loops l6 'enabie a consi'der'able aiiiountp raze' njaterial to be applied, resulting' iri a-strerigand rigid dvice.

The operator grips the handle portions I l and, b turning the device with a cranking motion, can reel the clothes line over the ends of the device between the diverging legs H8. The inturned ends 22 of the legs [8 enable a considerable amount of line to be reeled thereon.

The device illustrated in Figure 3, is similar in general to the previous form, but instead of having handles I4 at the ends of the shank l2, it includes one handle 26 at one end of the shank, and another, shown at 28, at substantially midway of the ends of the shank. The center piece is turned back forming a longer loop 30, which may be brazed at 32 to provide greater strength.

In using the device illustrated in Figure 3, the length of the cranking'stroke is reduced. Furthermore, wobbling is eliminated, since the handle 28 serves as an anchor or pivot point.

The device is very simple in construction, being made entirely from ordinary wire stock. The device is flat and can be stored in a convenient place, occupying practically no space. The operations forming the individual pieces can be performed simply and economically; the shank l2 and handle members l4 form one piece, and each pair of arms l8 form another piece. The next operation of brazing the pairs of arms l8 to the shank is also a simple operation.

While I have herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, manifestly it is susceptible of modification and rearrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. I do not, therefore, wish to be understood as limiting my invention to the precise form herein disclosed, except as I may be so limited by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device of the type described, an elongated shank, a handle member formed integral with said shank adjacent each end thereof, said handle members extending laterally from said shank on opposite sides thereof, and a pair of diverging arms formed separate from and secured to each end of said shank and extending longitudinally outwardly from the shank.

2. A reel of the class described, comprising, a

wire-like shank, the ends of said shank being bent laterally outwardly on opposite sides forming handle members, and a pair of wire-like diverging arms extendin longitudinally outwardly from each end of said shank, said pairs of arms being secured to said shank at the bends between said shank and respective ones i said handle members, I 1- {if I r 3. A reel 'of the class described,'comprising, a

wire-like shank, the ends of said shank being bent.

laterally outwardly on opposite sides forming handle members, the junctures between saidhandle members and said shank,bei ng in the file of this patent shape of loops having their;=clos ed ends directed longitudinally outwardly from said shank, and a pair of wire-like diverging arms extending longitudinally outwardly from each end of said shank,

each pair of arms being formed of an integral] 1 piece, separate from said shank, the juncture between the; arms of each pair being rounded, said p irs f ar bein s cur dtqe idehan by j -t nded iimqt re betweenfihe. a ms of the pairs to the closed nds of;said loops; I

4. A reel of the class; described, comprising, a single-strand wire shanlgtheends of said shank being bent laterally outwardly on opposite sides formin handle .mem ers,.- e o ,sa d handle members being positionedv adjacent, one end of the shank, and the other handle member being spaced substantially midway between the ends of j i said shank, and a pair of wire-like diverging arms v extending longitudinally outwardly from each end of said shank, said pairs of arms being secured to'said shank at the bends betweensald shank V I members: I 1 i i? BERTRAM JOHNSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the Y UNITED; STATES PATENTS and respective ones of said handle;- 

